Storage unit for tissue rolls



1pm 25, 19E? '1' C N STORAGE UNIT FOR TISSUE ROLLS Filed May 12, 1965 mml m E V C M l 8 A M O ,H WT

WW I M -11 041};

ATTOR NEYS Unitcd States Patent 3,316,040 STORAGE UNIT FOR TISSUE ROLLSThomas J. McGann, 1152 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, Mass. 02134 Filed May12, 1965, Ser. No. 455,086 1 Claim. (Cl. 312-45) This invention relatesgenerally to storage devices and more particularly is directed towards anew and improved bathroom accessory in the form of a combinationcontainer and dispenser for the temporary storageof a plurality of rollsof toilet tissue or the like.

Most toilet tissue dispensers are designed to hold but a single roll ofpaper and since extra rolls are usually stored in a remote cupboard orcloset, some inconvenience may be involved in replacing an exhaustedroll with a fresh one, In public rest rooms an attendant must makefrequent inspections to insure that dispensers are kept filled. There isthus a need both in private and public toilet facilities for aconveniently located storage unit for temporarily storing a limitednumber of rolls of tissue paper. While various storage containers havebeen proposed heretofore for the same general purpose, none has beenparticularly satisfactory for such reasons as high cost, mechanicalcomplexity and diificulty in installation.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideimprovements in stor ge containers for paper rolls.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple low-cost storagecontainer for toilet tissue rolls and the like which container may bequickly and easily installed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a storage container forrolls of toilet tissue and the like which container may be quickly andeasily loaded and from which individual rolls may be readily removed.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel mountingarrangement for a storage container for rolls of toilet tissue and thelike which container may be quickly and easily disconnected from asupporting bracket for cleaning or servicing.

More particularly, this invention features a storage container for rollsof toilet tissue and the like, comprising a tubular housing having aremovable cover at its upper end whereby rolls may be loaded into thecontainer through the top end thereof. A bottom wall across the base ofthe tubular housing serves as a stop for the rolls to hold them inend-to-end coaxially stacked relation. The housing is formed with anopening directly above the bottom wall and of sufiicient dimensions topermit the lowermost roll in the stack within the housing to bewithdrawn. A sliding door is moveably mounted to the tubular housing andnormally covers the opening through which the rolls are removed.

This invention also features a novel bracket for mounting the containerto a wall or other supporting member, comprising an elongated frameadapted to be fastened to the wall and provided at its upper end with aloop for engaging the upper portion of the container and formed at itslower end with a channelled shoulder portion for interlocking engagementwith the lower end of the container.

However, these and other features of the invention, along with furtherobjects and advantages thereof, will become more fully apparent from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a storage container andmounting bracket made according to the invention,

3,316,040 Patented Apr. 25, 1967 FIG. 2 is a view in perspective showingthe container and bracket installed,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container and bracket and,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view in side elevation showing detailsof construction.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference character 10 generallyindicates a container assembly including a tubular housing 11 forstoring a plurality of toilet tissue rolls 12 or the like, stacked inend-to-end coaxial relation as shown in FIG. 2. Mounted across the lowerend of the tubular housing 11 is a circular bottom wall 14 having adiameter generally corresponding with that of the housing. The bottomwall 14 is slightly recessed into the bottom of the container wherebythe rear lower edge of the housing will extend below the bottom wall 14for reasons that will presently appear. A removable cover 16 is providedfor the upper end of the container. The rolls 12 are normally loadedinto the container through the top and it will be understood that it isnecessary to remove the cover only when rolls are being placed in thecontainer or when the container is being removed from or replaced on itssupport.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an opening 18 is formed through the lower endof the tubular housing 11 and directly above the bottom wall 14 toprovide access to the lowermost roll 12 stacked within the container.The opening 18 is rectangular in front elevation and of a size to permiteasy withdrawal of a single roll 12. It will be appreciated that,insofar as the lowermost roll is resting directly on the bottom wall 14,it may easily be withdrawn by merely gripping the roll and pulling itlaterally from the stack through the opening.

In order to provide full protection for the rolls stored within thecontainer, a sliding door 20 is provided for the opening 13. The door 20is curved to match the outer cylindrical surface of the tubular housing11 and extends approximately about the tubular housing. As best shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, the side edges of the door extend radially outward toform ribs 22. The ribs 22 engage channel members 24 which are fixed toand extend vertically along the outside of the housing 11 diametricallyopposite one another to either side of the opening 18. The channelmembers extend about twice the height of the opening 18 whereby the door20, which slideably engages the channel members, may be raised to aposition completely over the opening 18 so that there will be nointerference in the withdrawal of a roll 12. In practice, the door 20may have a radius of curvature slightly greater than that of the outsidediameter of the housing 11 so that the ribs 22 will frictionally engagechannel members 24 under a slight pressure whereby the door 20 willremain in whatever position it is moved to. The forward edge of thebottom wall 14 serves as a stop for the door 20 in its lowered position.

Typically, the housing 11 may be on the order of 18 to 20 inches inheight which is suitable for storing four conventional size tissue rolls12. Obviously, the height may be varied depending upon the number andsizes of the rolls to be stored. When used as a toilet roll container,the housing 11 should have an inside diameter on the order of 4 /2".Also, the height of the opening 18 is on the order of 4 /2 and the door20 is slightly higher. Various materials may be used to fabricate thecontainer. For example, a plastic such as PVC may be used to advantagesince it is strong, light and low in cost. Other plastic materials,transparent, translucent and opaque in selected colors may be employedand metals such as aluminum, stainless steel or the like may also beused.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 a bracket 26 is provided for hanging thecontainer to a wall or other supporting structure. Preferably, thecontainer should be mounted in a corner in close proximity to the flushtank. The bracket 26 comprises an elongated right angular brace 28 whichis mounted in a corner as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 3 :by screws or thelike, passed through openings 30. A loop 32 is formed at the upper endof the bracket and has an inside diameter corresponding with the outsidediameter of the tubular housing 11 whereby the upper end of thecontainer will 'be held in position when mounted to the bracket. It willbe noted in FIG. 3 that the upper portion of each side of the bracket 28extends tangentially into the loop portion 32 whereby the sides of thebracket will bear flush against the supporting walls before curving intothe loop portion.

At the lower end of the bracket 26 an abbreviated shelf 34 is formedwith an arcuate channel member 36 having an upwardly facing groove 38.As shown in FIG. 4, the function of the groove 33 is to receive thearcuate lower rear edge of the tubular housing 11 in interlockingengagement. It will be understood that once the bracket has been mountedto the wall, the container is attached to the bracket by first removingthe cover 16 and inserting the container from below up through the loop32 so that the bottom portion of the container 10 is brought slightlyabove the channel member 36. The container 10 is then swung in againstthe bracket and dropped down so that the lower rear edge of the housing11 engages the channel member 36 to hold the container in position. Therolls 12 may then be loaded and the cover replaced. The unit is nowready for use.

It will be appreciated that the container illustrated and describedherein may be manufactured at a very low cost and yet is extremelyrugged, durable and completely eificient. The unit may be used in thehome or public or private rest rooms as desired. The bracket may be hungquickly and easily with no special tools since only a screwdriver isrequired. Once in position, the container is readily connected and maybe easily disconnected from time to time for periodic cleaning.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to theillustrated embodiment, it will be understood that numerousmodifications thereto will appear to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the above description and accompanying drawings should betaken as illustrative of the invention and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim and desire to obtainby Letters Patents of the United States is:

A wall mounted device for storing tissue rolls and the like, comprisingin combination (a) an elongated tubular housing adapted to accommodate aplurality of tissue rolls stacked in end-toend relation, and

(b) a bracket for detachably mounting said housing to said wall in avertical position,

(c) a bottom wall mounted across the lower end of said housing tosupport the stacked rolls,

(d) said housing being formed with an opening through the side wallthereof immediately adjacent said bottom wall,

(e) said vopening being dimensioned to permit lateral removal of thelowermost roll in said stack,

(f) a hoop formed in the upper part of said bracket for engagement aboutthe upper portion of said housing when inserted therein,

(g) a horizontally extending shoulder formed in the lower part of saidbracket for supporting the lower portion of said housing when placedthereon,

(h) said bracket being formed with an angular configuration lengthwisethereof whereby said bracket may be mounted in a corner of said wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,584,441 5/1926Engelken 312-42 3,151,920 10/1964 Burrell 312 3,157,445 11/1964 Aversa312---45 3,224,644 12/1965 Davis 248-313 X 3,246,937 4/ 1966 Galbraith312- CLAUDE A. ROY, Primary Examiner.

JOHN PETO, Examiner.

